Marion County residents looking to purchase a home may be eligible for significant zero-interest, deferred payment loans of up to $100,000 through a local government program that is designed to make homeownership more accessible.
The Marion County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program offers eligible buyers up to $100,000 to help cover down payments and closing costs of a home purchase. The assistance is provided as a zero-interest, deferred-payment loan.
Under the program’s terms, homeowners are not required to make monthly payments on this loan. Repayment is only triggered if the homeowner sells the property, refinances for cash back, or if the home ceases to be their primary residence.
For those who remain in the home, the loan is forgivable after a set period of 20 or 30 years, depending on the specific terms of the agreement.
Eligibility for the program is largely determined by household income and size. The program is open to residents whose total household income falls within specific limits, up to 140% of the area median income. For the 2025 fiscal year, the area median income is set at $76,200.
Based on the 2025 income limits, a single-person household could qualify with an income up to $75,600, while a four-person household may be eligible with an income up to $107,940. The limits scale up for larger families, with an eight-person household cap set at $145,520.
While the program provides substantial assistance for upfront costs, applicants must be prepared to pay for certain pre-paid expenses out of pocket. These expenses typically include home inspections, appraisals, deposits, and credit report fees.
Residents interested in utilizing these funds cannot apply directly through the county on their own. Instead, they must first contact a lender from the county’s approved list to begin the process. The lender will gather the necessary documentation and submit the application to Marion County Community Services for review and final eligibility determination.
A list of approved lenders is available on the Marion County website. Lenders interested in joining the program can contact the office at 352-671-8770.
County officials note that submitting an application does not guarantee funding or approval. All applications are subject to verification and are processed in the order they are received.